Updated Oct. 27, 2026, 10:05 p.m. ET
- President Trump is downplaying concerns about high gas prices ahead of the midterm elections.
- The national average gas price was $4.26 on Oct. 27, up from $3.05 the previous year.
- Despite several attempts to lower prices, an expert says significant relief is unlikely before Election Day.
President Donald Trump keeps downplaying concerns about high gas prices as the midterm election approaches, even as Americans are paying an average of more than $4 per gallon.
Trump has promised in multiple campaign rallies in recent months that U.S. gas prices will drop soon, even as AAA’s average national gas price has been above $4 per gallon since April.
Speaking at a recent political rally in Rome, Georgia, Trump said voters are “still paying lower than Biden and Obama.”
“I can just see the fake headlines,” Trump said. “‘President Trump is talking about the money they’re making while people are suffering at the pump.’ That’ll be the headline. But I said I don’t give a damn, I’m going to say: We’re making a frickin’ fortune. Our country is getting stronger and stronger all the time. And those pump prices are going to come down.”
The average price of gas on Tuesday, Oct. 27, was $4.26, according to AAA. That’s up from an average of $3.05 on Oct. 27, 2025, the group said.
With that in mind, the USA TODAY Cars Team took a look at the states where Trump is most and least popular, according to the latest Civiqs state-by-state tracker, and the average gas price is those places with one week to go until Election Day.
How have gas prices affected Trump’s approval ratings as voters head to the polls?
Despite Trump’s assertion that high gas prices are not a big deal, polling shows most voters disagree.
Seventy-six percent of registered U.S. voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of gas prices, while only 20% approve, according to an Oct. 8 poll from Navigator Research.
The poll also showed that 73% of registered voters heading into the November election disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living, while only 23% approve. In the poll, 62% of registered voters said they disapprove of how Trump is handling his job as president, while only 36% approve.
“President Trump’s approval ratings have hit all-time lows in Navigator tracking,” the group said. “Majorities disapprove of Trump’s handling of gas prices, inflation and the cost of living, and foreign policy.”
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in an Oct. 26 blog post that gas prices are unlikely to significantly decrease before Election Day on Nov. 3, despite the fact that Trump and Republican leaders in several states have “pulled virtually every lever available” – besides ending the Iran war.
“With the national average for gasoline likely to remain above $4 per gallon and diesel above $6 heading into the U.S. election, the relief motorists and policymakers have been hoping for remains elusive – even as states have moved to cut fuel taxes and the Trump administration has pulled virtually every lever available,” De Haan said.
What are drivers paying in the states where Trump is most popular?
1. North Dakota
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 55%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $4.10
Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. House race, according to The Hill: 99%
2. Wyoming
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 52%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $4.40
Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. Senate race, according to The Hill: 99%
3. Arkansas
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 51%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $3.83
Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. Senate race, according to The Hill: 96%
4. West Virginia
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 49%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $4.19
Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. Senate race, according to The Hill: 99%
5. Oklahoma
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 48%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $3.91
Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. Senate race, according to The Hill: 98%
What are drivers paying in the states where Trump is least popular?
1. Hawaii
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 19%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $5.65
Republican victory probability in 2026 U.S. House races, according to The Hill: 1%
2. Maryland
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 21%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $4.00
Republican victory probability in 2026 governor race, according to 270ToWin: 3%
3. Vermont
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 22%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $4.34
Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. House race, according to The Hill: 3%
4. Massachusetts
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 22%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $4.34
Republican victory probability in 2026 U.S. Senate race, according to The Hill: 1%
5. California
Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 24%
Oct. 27 Average Gas Price, according to AAA: $5.99
Republican victory probability in 2026 governor race, according to 270ToWin: 5%
Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.
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